Meet our Campus Cycling Officer
Did you know that we have a new Campus Cycling Officer? Lewis Melloy, a former Perth College UHI BSc (Hons) Sport and Fitness student, has secured a full-time placement at Perth College UHI until April 2020 – thanks to funding support from Transport Scotland supported by Cycling Scotland.
Lewis is hoping to encourage more staff and students to take up cycling to and from the campus. We caught up with Lewis to find out a bit more about him, and to see what his plans for the year hold.
How did you start your journey at Perth College UHI?
In 2014, I started studying on the SCE School Programme doing the Skills for Work and Hospitality Intermediate 2. I then started at Perth College UHI in 2015 and progressed through HNC Coaching and Developing Sport; HND Coaching and Developing Sport; BSc Sport and Fitness; and then graduated this year with a BSc Hons degree in Sport and Fitness.
What is the Campus Cycling Officer?
It’s a 9-month internship programme funded by Transport Scotland and supported by Cycling Scotland. I will be working full time for 34 weeks and my place of placement is Perth College UHI. However, I am not employed by the college - my role is managed by Bright Green Business.
What does the role of the Campus Cycling Officer involve?
Working in partnership with Bright Green Business, with the support of Transport Scotland and Cycling Scotland, my role is to develop cycling-based projects at Perth College UHI. I will support various departments within the college to deliver cycling projects and activities to increase the numbers of staff and students travelling by bicycle. With support from my mentor, I will be in charge of a small budget and tasked with the responsibility of designing, planning, implementing and evaluating a cycling project.
What will your key duties be?
To support the preparation, development and delivery of cycling initiatives on campus in order to support behaviour change and progress towards cycle friendly status.
Gather and analyse data relating to cycling activity so relevant information and recommendations can be presented to colleagues, stakeholders and sponsors.
Undertake a gap analysis of cycling on campus.
Develop and maintain effective partnerships to support the college’s efforts to make cycling an attractive choice.
Develop capital funding bids for capital infrastructure funding.
Lead on the design, planning, implementation and evaluation of cycling projects and activities that have come from feedback gathered.
Assist colleagues to develop and maintain an up-to-date Cycling Action Plan.
Identify and assist in applying for and securing funding when appropriate.
What are your plans for the academic year?
The first thing I plan to do is gap analysis through a questionnaire and a suggestion box.
I hope to increase the number of students and staff members cycling to college through the introduction of fleet bikes on campus. There will also be a cycle to work scheme available for staff and a social cycle project for students. I am also be teaming up with local bike shops to offer discounts to staff and students.
A change to the infrastructure across campus will be implemented to make it more cycling friendly. I plan to do this by providing additional secure storage facilities on campus and providing safer routes to and from the college campus.
In order to help motivate staff and students to cycle to the campus, I will be putting on bike maintenance workshops and activities – as well as cycle repair hubs. I hope to create a friendly cycling community on campus through cycle-led rides and breakfasts.
What are your plans to improve the campus?
The existing shelters will be given a bit of a makeover to make them more appealing. We will be pressure washing them to remove the graffiti, grime and stains. The vicinity surrounding the shelters will also have a clean-up.
I’m hoping to install an additional secure cycling shelter between the Academy of Sport and Wellbeing and the Webster building - with a secure gate. The safety and security of the shelters will also be increased by adding additional lighting and CCTV.
At the moment, the cycle storage facilities are not signposted on campus. This is something I would like to change so that more people are aware of the facilities on offer. I will also provide maps highlighting the locations of the facilities and the safe cycle routes to and from campus.
What is the cycle to work scheme?
Thanks to the Government’s Cycle to Work initiative, you have the chance to purchase a new bike, tax-free. Everyone wins – employees make big savings on new bikes and employers get a healthier workforce!
Find out if you are eligible here.
What if I don’t have my own bike, and I can’t afford one?
We have partnered up with The Social Cycle Project to offer you the chance to loan a bike through the Bike Station. Find out more about the project, and see if you are eligible, here.
What are your next steps?
I will be analysing the results of the Active Travel Survey so that I can identify key behaviours and feelings in relation to cycling. This will enable me to understand what staff and students would like me to achieve on campus.
If you have any questions or suggestions for Lewis, get in touch: Cycle.perth@uhi.ac.uk or 01738 877311
